Nikita Nesterenko Bio
Nikita Nesterenko, born September 10, 2001, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American professional ice hockey player who plays center for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected by the Minnesota Wild with the 172nd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Nesterenko developed his game in the amateur ranks before turning professional in 2023. Known for his two-way responsibility and physical presence, he has split time between the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate San Diego Gulls during the early stages of his career.
Early Life and Background
Nikita Nesterenko was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, growing up in the Coney Island neighborhood. He is the son of immigrants from Russia, and his family background shaped his path into the sport. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 183 pounds, Nesterenko developed his size and skill in a city better known for basketball and baseball than for ice hockey.
Despite Brooklyn’s limited hockey infrastructure, Nesterenko pursued the sport seriously and eventually enrolled at the Lawrenceville School, a preparatory school in New Jersey known for its competitive athletics. He graduated from Lawrenceville in 2020, completing his prep hockey career there before advancing to higher levels of competition.
Path to Hockey
Following his time at the Lawrenceville School, Nesterenko joined the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the 2019–20 season, gaining experience in a junior league that has produced many NHL players. The stint in British Columbia gave him a chance to refine his game against older competition and prepared him for the next step in his development.
Nesterenko then committed to Boston College, joining the Eagles men’s ice hockey program for the 2020–21 season. The move to NCAA Division I hockey represented a significant step up in competition and visibility. His development at Boston College positioned him as a prospect to watch as he continued to grow within the collegiate system.
Nikita Nesterenko Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Nesterenko’s early career featured steady progression through the amateur ranks. After one season with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL in 2019–20, he transitioned to the Boston College Eagles of Hockey East, where he played three collegiate seasons from 2020 to 2023. During his freshman year, he shared the Hockey East Rookie of the Year honor with Josh Lopina and was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team, signaling a strong introduction to college hockey.
He continued to develop at Boston College, and during his junior season in 2022–23, he posted career-best numbers with 13 goals and 34 points in 36 games. That performance helped establish him as a legitimate professional prospect heading into the conclusion of his collegiate eligibility.
Boston College Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Across his three years at Boston College, Nesterenko grew into a reliable two-way center for the Eagles. His freshman accolades set the tone, and he built on that foundation with increasingly consistent offensive contributions in each subsequent season. By the end of his junior campaign, he had cemented his reputation as a hard-working, defensively responsible forward capable of contributing offensively.
The 2022–23 season marked the high point of his collegiate career, with 13 goals and 34 points in 36 games. That production, combined with his 6-foot-2 frame and responsible defensive play, made him an attractive signing prospect for NHL organizations looking to add depth to their forward groups.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2023–Present)
Nesterenko’s professional career began when the Anaheim Ducks acquired his signing rights from the Minnesota Wild in a March 3, 2023, trade that sent defenseman John Klingberg to Minnesota. He ended his collegiate career by agreeing to a two-year, entry-level contract on March 16, 2023, and immediately joined the rebuilding Ducks. He made his NHL debut on March 21, 2023, against the Calgary Flames, and scored his first NHL goal in his third game, a 6–3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on March 25, on a pass from Mason McTavish.
During the 2023–24 season, Nesterenko spent the majority of his time with the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, appearing in 70 games and recording 16 goals and 37 points. He was recalled to Anaheim on April 5, 2024, and appeared in three NHL games, scoring one goal against St. Louis before being returned to San Diego on April 10. As a restricted free agent, he received a qualifying offer from Anaheim and signed a one-year, two-way contract on July 15, 2024.
To begin the 2024–25 season, Nesterenko was assigned to San Diego, but he was recalled by the Ducks on January 1, 2025. He made his season debut on January 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Ross Johnston in the lineup, and Anaheim won 4–1. He scored his first goal of the NHL season on January 9 in a 6–2 loss to the St. Louis Blues before being returned to San Diego on January 24 after seven games with the Ducks, recording one goal and two points. On June 18, 2025, Nesterenko signed a two-year, $1.575 million contract extension with Anaheim.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 2 inches and 183 pounds, Nesterenko plays a physical, two-way center’s game. He is noted for his responsible defensive play, his willingness to compete in all three zones, and his ability to contribute offensively when given opportunities. His frame allows him to win battles along the boards, and his development path through both junior and NCAA hockey has prepared him for the pace and physicality of professional hockey.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Nesterenko’s notable early milestones are his NHL debut on March 21, 2023, against the Calgary Flames and his first NHL goal four days later against the St. Louis Blues, assisted by Mason McTavish. He has been part of two significant organizational transactions, first being acquired by Anaheim in March 2023 and later signing a two-year contract extension on June 18, 2025. Sharing the Hockey East Rookie of the Year award with Josh Lopina during the 2020–21 season stands as one of his most prominent amateur honors.
Nikita Nesterenko Career Wins
Nikita Nesterenko’s career is still in its early stages, and verified win totals at the NHL level remain limited. His most notable individual achievements to date have come in the amateur ranks, including his shared Hockey East Rookie of the Year honor in 2020–21. As he continues his development with the Anaheim Ducks organization, additional milestones are expected.
Anaheim Ducks Highlights
In his first NHL season with Anaheim, Nesterenko appeared in a small number of games at the end of 2022–23 and recorded his first NHL goal. During the 2024–25 season, he appeared in seven games with the Ducks after his January 1 recall, scoring one goal and adding one assist for two points before returning to the San Diego Gulls. On June 18, 2025, he secured his future with the organization by signing a two-year, $1.575 million contract extension.
Other Wins and Performances
At the AHL level with the San Diego Gulls during the 2023–24 season, Nesterenko produced 16 goals and 37 points across 70 games, establishing himself as a steady contributor. During his junior season at Boston College in 2022–23, he recorded career highs of 13 goals and 34 points in 36 games, capping his collegiate career on a strong note.
Nikita Nesterenko Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nikita Nesterenko is the son of Russian immigrants who settled in the United States. He was born and raised in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, where his family provided the foundation for his eventual path into professional ice hockey.
Personal Life
Public information about Nesterenko’s personal life beyond his family background remains limited. He continues his professional career with the Anaheim Ducks organization, splitting time between Anaheim and the San Diego Gulls of the AHL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NHL season marked another step in Nesterenko’s development within the Anaheim Ducks organization. Assigned to the San Diego Gulls of the AHL to begin the season, he worked on refining his game at the professional level before being recalled by the Ducks on January 1, 2025. He made his season debut on January 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Ross Johnston in the lineup, and contributed to a 4–1 Ducks victory.
During his seven-game stint with Anaheim in January 2025, Nesterenko recorded one goal and one assist for two points, with his first goal of the season coming on January 9 in a 6–2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He was returned to San Diego on January 24 to continue his development, with the Ducks managing his ice time carefully as part of their long-term plan for the young center.
On June 18, 2025, Nesterenko signed a two-year, $1.575 million contract extension with the Ducks, securing his place within the organization through the 2026–27 season. The extension reflects Anaheim’s continued investment in his growth as a two-way center and signals that he remains an important part of the franchise’s rebuilding efforts.